Undetectable, unprotected sex. But missed meds 3 days in row

Aug 20, 2011

I am or was undetectable. I did not take enough medications with me while I was on vacation, therefore I ran out before getting back home. Problem I have is that I had unprotected vaginal sex with my girlfriend several times over a weeks time period, but the last 3 nights, I did not get my sustiva and truvada. How quickly do the meds disappear from the body? Was my viral load sky-rocketing after missing a 2nd dosage? Here I am a week later, still concerned that I may have infected the woman I am crazy about. Please, can you put me at ease?

Response from Dr. Frascino

Hi.

Treatment interruption is never a good idea. Most HIV drugs have a reasonably long half-life. Sustiva has a very long half-life. Hopefully you did no harm by missing three days of your treatment, but I have no way of absolutely confirming that is the case.

Whether or not your missed some days of your antiretroviral treatment, if you're having unprotected sex with your girlfriend, you are placing her at some degree of risk of acquiring the virus. I would suggest you use latex condoms for all penetrative sex and have your girlfriend get HIV tested at the three- and six-month marks from the date of her last exposure (unprotected sex). If you're crazy about her, stop putting her at risk!

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